A different me!

[susan22]

Today I went with family to the park where I did the first 5 weeks running. It really bothered me that we were strolling around - mum is 85 and a slow walker now. The urge to set off for a lap at a jog was so great. Was that really me out there?

[annasee Graduate]

Ha, I empathise! Couldn't wait to get out of bed and go for my run this morning, much to alarm of other half when i appeared in kitchen at 7 am dressed for running. It happens so quickly - this is only week 9 and i already get that "I have to get out and run" feeling after half a day inside or not running. I don't know myself!

[susan22 Graduate]

When do you think we are allowed to run on consecutive days. I get fed up with always having to wait a day , especially at the weekend.

[runningnotwalking Graduate]

It's a great sign that you have itchy feet but trust the plan and do something different on the rest day. Your body needs time to recover in between runs and it's counter-productive not too.

[Narmour Graduate]

You should always have a rest day... even when you are training for a marathon you need them. Although a gentle 5k run counts as a rest day when you are running 13 miles the next day

[mabon]

That was so out of order, if you cann't spare a hour to walk with your elderly Mum shame on you.

[OldNed Graduate in reply to mabon]

Hmm, mabon, not sure it's for you to make that sort of comment. You may want to think a bit harder about the purpose of this site.

[Hidden in reply to OldNed]

I agree with you ~ we have very little information here, and to judge by what we do have is somewhat premature. For all we know they may spen masses of time with their mum.

[Nerdio Graduate]

Take those rest days, you won't do yourself any favours if you don't. I do try though and do something on my rest day, a walk down to the shops, a short cycle ride, just something to keep my legs moving.

[Longlegs]

Despite the 'out of order' response you received I'm sure it wasn't that you didn't want to walk with your lovely old mum but are enjoying the feeling that you are now a runner! Maybe next time do a lap or two and then re-join your family and enjoy the walk as a cool down. Keep on running!

[Realfoodieclub Graduate]

I'm with most people who have replied. Rest days are important. I tried to do more energetic things on my days off and found my muscles were sore for my next run and it wasn't as good as it should of been. I have told myself that up until graduation it has to be three runs a week. Some strolling on days off but that's it. I think there is some equation where they say to protect your muscles you can only increase by 10% a week. And I think that has been worked out by Laura as you go through the program. There will come a time when you can. But patience as they say.

[GoogleMe Graduate]

It is great to be keen and I am sure that's all susan22 was doing - celebrating.

But it can be sort of serious. I watch certain relatives and the way their lives are almost completely driven by the need to exercise (run, mainly) and all the associated fuss and bother, rather than it being *part* of a well-rounded happy life.... and let's just say that I am unconvinced it is the best advert, even though one of them is wonderfully physically fit for his age and a national champion in his sport.

I missed out on my run over the weekend because one day I went for a deer watching walk with family and the other I went for a bike ride with them (and unfortunately I don't have enough energy to do that sort of thing and run on the same day) But I was amazed to hear my husband suggest to my teenage son that he should take up running to keep fit - considering he used to leave the room if I mentioned running, that is progress! I was also proved right that a particular path ended in a bog because I'd done it before out running.

[susan22 Graduate]

I really did not mean that I begrudged the time with mum and my family. I enjoyed my time with them as I do every weekend. I was simply celebrating the fact that I now enjoy running, whereas 2 months ago I would have been more than happy with a stroll. My family will always come first.

[runningnotwalking Graduate in reply to susan22]

Don't worry, I think most of us understood that you were just saying how much you are enjoying it

[Hidden]

Hi Everyone,

I feel like a child again...started running around our garden ( thank goodness for large hedges). Felt a bit silly at first walking then joggging hoping the neighbours wouldn't notice me. By the end of my very first mini run I felt yes I can do this and hope to venture out side. I think I will follow Laura the instructor's advice and rest from running for a day. It makes sense as muscles hold water after exercise. But I may try Pilates or some core exercise. ... anyone got any good advice on alternative exercises?

[runningnotwalking Graduate in reply to Hidden]

You could try the NHS Strength and Flexibility podcasts, available from the same site as C25k.